Recruitment Pack

Assistant Conservator (fixed term, 9 months)

Assistant Artefact Conservator (fixed term maternity cover, 9 months) £27,107 - £29,475 per annum plus membership of civil pension scheme

Fixed-term, full time National Museums Collection Centre

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Artefact Conservator to join our busy and dynamic conservation team for 9 months, caring for our internationally significant collections of over 12 million items. You will bring your expert conservation knowledge to our acclaimed exhibitions, displays and loans programmes.

The artefact conservation team works across several disciplines including archaeology, decorative arts, sculpture, ethnographic, military and Scottish history collections. You should have a recognised conservation degree and be able to work independently on the examination and treatment of artefacts, and advise on their safe display and storage. This includes documenting the condition and treatments of objects, so good IT skills are required.

You will be a team player, who is able to work to tight deadlines and effectively plan, prioritise and risk assess your work programme. You will also have a passion for conservation and be able to communicate this to our audiences, and assist with the training of student interns and placements.

To make an online application for this post and to find further details of this post and of all our vacancies please visit www.nms.ac.uk.

If you require further information telephone 0131 247 4094 (answerphone) or email [email protected], stating reference NMS21/44.

Closing date for completed applications is 12 September 2021 at midnight.

It is anticipated that the selection event will take place on 30 September 2021 at National Museums Collection Centre, Granton, Edinburgh.

Please note that CVs are not considered as/as part of applications and will not be forwarded to the shortlisting process.

National Museums Scotland is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer.

NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND BACKGROUND

National Museums Scotland is one of the UK’s leading museum groups and has a broad national and international reach. It is responsible for over twelve million objects from across the globe, built up over 200 years. Our largest site, the National Museum of Scotland is one of the leading museums in Europe and is the most visited museum or attraction in the UK outside London. Our objects encompass a huge range of internationally important collections covering science and technology; art, design and fashion; the natural world, cultures across the world; and the story of Scotland itself. These unusually broad ranging collections enable us to explore, to debate and to celebrate our nation and the world around us – past, present and future.

Bold ideas and a track record of success have served us well in securing support for ambitious goals. Inspired by the pioneers and thinkers who founded our institution and created our collections, National Museums Scotland is committed to take every opportunity to realise its vision: Inspiring people, connecting Scotland to the world and the world to Scotland. We work with museums and communities across Scotland and internationally, introducing our collections to a much wider audience than can physically visit our museums, through touring exhibitions, loans, community engagement, digital programmes and research.

Continuing Investment

Over the last decade, we have invested over £120 million in our sites and have more than doubled our visitor numbers, with over 3 million people now visiting our four museums. We have also redeveloped the National Museums Collection Centre, an internationally significant facility for the storage, research and conservation of Scotland’s wide-ranging national collections. This has included new conservation laboratories and new storage and research facilities.

We have recently completed two further major projects. A £3.6 million redevelopment has enabled a step change to be made in the visitor experience at the National Museum of Flight, restoring two historic aircraft hangars and re-presenting 100 years of aviation history. A further £14.1 million investment at the National Museum of Scotland has created ten inspiring galleries of fashion, decorative art and design, science and technology and a new public piazza in front of the Museum, opened in the Museum’s 150th anniversary year.

In 2019 we completed the transformation of the National Museum, with three new galleries of East Asia, Ancient Egypt and the art of ceramics. We look forward to beginning a reconsideration of the Museum’s Scottish galleries, where we will aim to explore afresh the contemporary and historic identity of the nation through the lens of the twenty-first century. Further leading-edge facilities at the expanding National Museums Collection Centre will transform that site into an international hub for the conservation, research and sharing of our collections. Consideration is also being given to further significant investment at the National Museum of Flight.

Our Museums

Over the last decade, we have more than doubled our visitor numbers, with over 3.14 million people now visiting our four museum sites: the National Museum of Scotland and National War Museum, in Edinburgh; the National Museum of Flight, in East Lothian; and the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride, near Glasgow. We also have a fifth site, the National

Museums Collection Centre in north Edinburgh which is an internationally significant facility for the storage, research and conservation of Scotland’s wide-ranging national collections

Collections and Research

Our collections are a legacy which we look after on behalf of everyone. Our huge collections represent everything from Scottish and classical archaeology to decorative arts, design and fashion; from world cultures and social history to science, technology and the natural world. The National Museums Collection Centre, in Edinburgh, is home to millions of items not currently on display. It also houses state-of-the-art facilities for conservation, taxidermy and collections research. The latter is often undertaken in partnership with Universities and other major institutions nationally and internationally.

Through our research, we aim to explore the significance of the millions of objects in our care. How we interpret our collections can increase public understanding of human history and the natural environment.

Exhibitions and Events

Through major international exhibitions we bring cultural treasures from around the world to Scotland and help tell the significant stories within our own collections. From our annual Airshow at the National Museum of Flight to events held in partnership with Edinburgh’s festivals; from lectures, re-enactments and concerts to our award-winning after-hours Museum Lates: our public programmes bring history, science, the natural world, arts and cultures to life.

Schools Programme

School children from across Scotland experience days of discovery across our sites, with more than 65,000 school visits enjoyed every year. Many more pupils engage with our objects and exhibitions through live broadcasts and through our shared learning resources.

National and International

Innovative ways to connect with audiences across Scotland lie at the heart of our national programmes. Our outreach programme widens access to our collections, through projects tailored to meet the needs and interests of diverse groups across Scotland.

From touring exhibitions to creative collaborations, our partnership work across the UK and internationally brings our collections to a much wider audience than can physically visit our museums. By working overseas we are extending Scotland's international profile and developing knowledge of our collections far beyond our walls.

Services and Expertise

Our dedicated staff possess a wealth of expertise across a wide range of fields, and through our knowledge exchange programme we provide advice, training and support to museums across Scotland.

Loans to venues across Scotland and the UK enhance regional collections and mean more people than ever can enjoy our objects. Our international loans programme helps introduce our

collections to audiences who might never visit our museums, and brings treasures from around the globe to our shores.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2016-20

Our Strategic Plan sets out the ambitions of National Museums Scotland in 2016-20. It outlines the opportunities and challenges we face, and the potential we see:

Our Aims direct our priorities, activities and actions:

 Put People First Create inspiring experiences that help our audiences’ understanding of themselves and the world around them.

 Value our Collections Preserve, interpret, share and make them accessible for all.

 Increase our Reputation and Reach Connect more with people locally, nationally and internationally.

 Transform our Organisation Develop our people, and work together to deliver our ambitions and increase our income.

Our Priorities reflect our continued drive to delight and inspire our visitors, to invest in our historic buildings and displays, and to research and display our collections for audiences to enjoy. Each priority has a series of intended outcomes, with more detailed actions in our annual Operational and Department Plans:

 Creating inspiring visitor experiences at our Museums and elsewhere.  Developing, preserving and increasing access to the National Collections.  Strengthening and sharing collections knowledge and research.  Reaching out to people across Scotland and the world.  Transforming our digital engagement.  Valuing, supporting and developing our people and empowering them to work together in new ways.  Growing and diversifying our income.

Looking ahead, we plan to broaden our programme, making further step-change improvements to quality, profile, popularity and reputation. Our dynamic programme of displays, exhibitions and events will continue to develop, drawing ever larger and broader audiences, young and old, at home and abroad, to encounter extraordinary objects in new ways. We also aim to address our wider national and international potential, and make shifts in the way we operate and fund our work.

Our funding comes from three main sources: the Scottish Government, commercial income (including ticketed museums, exhibitions and events) and philanthropy. In the years ahead we aim to increase the income we generate, as delivering our ambitions will require additional financing. We aim to build on our success in raising large sums from charitable trusts,

individuals and corporate supporters, increasing our fundraising capacity and supporter base. We also aim to grow commercial income from our Enterprises company and other sources.

We have approximately 450 staff and over 500 volunteers. To achieve our goals it is vital that the whole team work well together – effective delivery rests on enabling our staff to use their skills and experience to the full and continuing to attract new talent to every part of the organisation. Our commitment to the development and engagement of our people is central to the delivery of this Strategy.

General Information

Assistant Conservator

Salary The salary range is £27,107 - £29,475 per annum. Salary on appointment will be subject to qualifications and experience and will normally be within the bottom quarter of the pay range. Pay, including pay progression, is reviewed in negotiation with the recognised trade unions, with an annual settlement date of 1 April.

Where an internal candidate successful applies for a post which is the same grade as their current post, they will transfer to the new post on the same salary with pay progression as normal.

Hours

Normally 37 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks. Working hours are between 08:00 and 18:00. A flexible working system is in operation. This is a nine-month, fixed term, maternity cover post.

Location

This post is based at National Museums Collection Centre, West Granton Road, Edinburgh with travel to other Museum sites as required.

Annual leave

There is an annual leave allowance of 28.5 days per annum pro-rata, rising to 33.5 days per annum pro-rata after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive 8 public holidays per annum.

Probation

Staff are on probation for a period of six months from date of appointment.

Pension

Staff of National Museums Scotland are eligible to join the Civil Service Pension arrangements, which are a valuable part of the pay package. The pension is secure, being backed by government guarantee. The organisation pays up to 24.3% of your gross salary towards your pension. Members’ contributions are comparatively low. The choice of scheme is as follows:

. alpha. This is a defined benefit pension scheme. Details of the contributions you will pay are shown in Annex A. As your employer we will also make a substantial contribution.

. partnership pension account. This is a stakeholder pension with a contribution from us. How much we pay is based on your age and we pay this regardless of whether you choose to contribute anything. You do not have to contribute but, if you do, we will also

match your contributions up to 3% of your pensionable earnings. The contributions are in addition to the age-related contribution mentioned above.

NB: It should be noted that annual increases in employee contributions to the Civil Service Pension arrangements will be advised by the Cabinet Office to National Museums Scotland on an annual basis.

Eligibility to join the main scheme may be affected by such factors such as:

. previous service in a Civil Service department; . a Civil Service pension already in payment; or . having been awarded enhanced benefits on leaving a Civil Service employer.

New members of National Museums Scotland staff whose eligibility is not affected by any such factors will be automatically entered into alpha upon appointment until their pension choices form is confirmed or if they decide to opt out of the Civil Service pension arrangements altogether. If you do opt out, the Pensions Act 2011 requires all employers to automatically re- enrol all eligible workers who are not in a qualifying pension scheme. This takes place periodically, usually every three years, from the employer’s staging date. National Museums Scotland staging date was 1 November 2013.

Our approach to Equality and Diversity

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities, and part of this commitment relates to our aim to appoint the best person for the job regardless of their gender, age, gender reassignment, disability, pregnancy, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or because someone is married or is a civil partner.

Impact Assessments have been undertaken to review our Human Resources policies to ensure that individuals and groups are not treated adversely and where possible, we have begun to develop policies that have a more positive impact, to help us attract and retain a diverse workforce. We also undertake Equal Opportunities Monitoring to evaluate the effective implementation of our policies and procedures and to comply with legislation. Information relating to our Equality Schemes and Action Plans can be found on our website. Here are some of our policies that are designed to enable you to balance your work and your life commitments:

Flexible Working Hours Scheme Adoption and Parental Leave Flexible Working Arrangements Shared Parental Leave Part Time Working Employee Assistance Special Leave Gender Reassignment Dependent Leave Maternity and Paternity Leave Work Life Balance: Career Breaks and Flexible

Working

If you have any special requirements either to complete the application form or in order to attend an interview or selection event or have any other questions then please contact our HR team.

Employee Savings

Staff employed by National Museums Scotland have the opportunity to access an exclusive website through which they can access savings and discounts from over three hundred high street and on line retailers. The wide range of goods and services available at a reduction range from everyday essentials such as food shopping to occasional purchases such as white goods and holidays.

This is in addition to employee discounts in our shops, restaurants and cafes and free or discounted entry to National Museums Scotland properties and other cultural institutions and visitor attractions across the United Kingdom.

Capital Credit Union

Capital Credit Union is an ethical not-for-profit financial cooperative that provides savings and lending solutions to its members. National Museum Scotland is a Sponsoring Employer of which means that employees can save into a Capital Credit Union savings account via their monthly salary. By making regular savings in this way, our employees get access to a range of products and services, including dividends, a range of savings accounts, unsecured loan products, fixed and variable rate mortgages, etc.

Cycle to Work Scheme

National Museums run the Salary Sacrifice based cycle scheme ‘Halfords cycle2 work’. Salary sacrifice occurs when an employee agrees to give up part of their salary for an agreed period in exchange for a non-cash benefit; in this case, the loan of a bike/ safety equipment for an agreed period of either 12 or 18 months. Providing the main use of the bike is for commuting to work, employees will incur no tax or National Insurance on the benefit.

Retirement Policy

National Museums Scotland does not have a default retirement age. Under the alpha pension the age you can draw your pension benefits without reduction is the higher of age 65 or your state pension age.

Conditions of Service

Staff of National Museums Scotland are not Civil Servants, since they are appointed by the Board of Trustees and not by the Crown.

Attendance for interview

Candidates invited for interview will be required to attend in person.

Travel expenses

We will pay up to a maximum of £150 for reasonable travel and accommodation expenses necessarily incurred by candidates attending interview. Checks will, therefore, be carried out to ensure that any overnight stay is necessary and that cheaper travel options have been sought out.

There will be no reimbursement for subsistence.

Expenses guidelines

Travel expenses are provided by National Museums Scotland to assist you in attending a selection event, please consider the guidelines below before making any travel and/or accommodation reservations:  Accommodation will be reimbursed up to a maximum of £85 however cheaper hotels should be used whenever they are available at an acceptable standard.  Use of the Airport Shuttle bus between the airport and the city centre is encouraged. If a taxi is taken we will only reimburse at the cost of a return bus fare.  If you choose to drive we will pay for the equivalent standard rail fare if less than the cost of mileage.  If possible journeys should be done in one day.  £150 is the maximum allowance and we reserve the right to reimburse for less than this if we feel that the costs aren’t justified.  Claims of less than £10 will not be reimbursed.

Candidates travelling from outwith the UK should note that expenses may be claimed from point of entry only.

Background checks

Any offer of employment will be made subject to the receipt of references which are satisfactory to National Museums Scotland and cover the full three-year period prior to the effective date of any appointment.

Disclosure Scotland

It will be a condition of employment that the successful applicant for this post undertakes a Basic Disclosure Scotland check, the result of which must be satisfactory to National Museums Scotland. National Museums will refund the associated costs.

Eligibility to work in the UK

Employers are required to ensure that any prospective employee is legally entitled to live and work in the UK. You will be required to provide appropriate documentation as evidence at interview stage, normally in the form of a passport and/or other document which states that you have the right of residence and right to work in the UK.

Where more than one candidate is successful in passing the Selection Board for a post, National Museums is obliged to offer the post to an eligible candidate who already has the right to live and work in the UK (a settled worker), before considering a candidate for whom a Certificate of Sponsorship application would be required. This is because any such application would need to show that no suitably qualified settled worker is available for the post.

Selection Process

This successful candidate for this position will be appointed following a competency based selection process.

This will involve a selection event, during which candidates will participate in activities that will enable the assessors to assess performance against our Competency Framework.

Our competencies are:

Building Relationships Communicating & Engaging Focusing on your Customers Improving & Innovating Leading & Managing Planning for Success

We do appreciate the time and effort that applicants invest in applying for opportunities with National Museums Scotland. Unfortunately due to the high numbers of applications we receive we are unable to respond to every candidate to inform them whether or not they have been shortlisted for interview.

If you have not had any response within six weeks of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

National Museums Scotland is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post Title: Assistant Conservator

Department: Section: Artefact Conservation Collections Services

Directorate: Collections Grade: 5 Hours: 37

Purpose of Post:

. To be responsible for practical and advisory conservation in artefact conservation

Key Responsibilities:

. To apply expert specialist conservation knowledge to National Museums’ artefact conservation programmes

. To work closely with exhibition, curatorial and other key sectors in the museum, normally under guidance, to provide the conservation necessary to ensure that deadlines for exhibition and display are met

. To be responsible for movement and documentation procedures as required

. To support the Head of Section

. To propose and develop technical solutions to conserve complex artefacts

. To implement supervised conservation research and experimentation projects to develop knowledge and best practice

. To assist in the maintenance of laboratories and functions for the section

. To carry out the handling and transportation of objects as required, including courier duties

. To assist with the supervision of volunteers supporting conservation work, to ensure their contribution is focused and recognised

. To deal with routine enquiries and visitors

. To contribute to the National Programmes of National Museums Scotland

. To contribute to the Learning and Programmes activities of National Museums on the development and delivery of projects to reach a wide variety of audiences

. To assist with the requirements of the National Museums Scotland digitisation programme

. To develop a good knowledge of the conservation needs of National Museums’ collections in a particular specialist area

. To be committed to good health & safety and access practice and ensure familiarity with National Museums’ health & safety and access policies, procedures and guidelines

Expected Outcomes:

. Contribution to the achievement of necessary conservation of collections, to meet the National Museums’ display, loan, exhibition and acquisition programmes

. Growth of in-house professional experience to complement theoretical training

. Dynamic interaction with current method development and teaching

Reports to:

Principal Conservator, Artefact Conservation

Facts and Figures:

Budget: None

Staff Managed: None

Indirect Staff Managed: None

Other: Supporting higher grades

Thinking Skills (Judgements / Decisions Made):

. Normally treatments and processes will follow guidelines and supervision, but in some case the development of new treatment or assessment methods will be required

. Communication and presentation of technical issues across a wide audience

Communication and Contact:

Internal:

. Line manager and all colleagues in Conservation & Analytical Research about professional issues

. Collections and curatorial staff about conservation treatments

. Exhibitions and Public Programmes staff in the delivery of work for exhibition and loans

. Other staff throughout the museums on conservation and collections’ care issues

External:

. Where appropriate, visitors and public enquiries about care of artefacts

. Professional peers and colleagues about specific project treatments, research and conservation activities

Most Challenging Parts of the Job:

. Applying complex techniques to conserve artefacts within tight timeframes to meet exhibition, loan and display criteria

. Presenting and communicating work to internal and external peer groups

Other Requirements, e.g. Multi-site Working, On Call, etc

. Travel between National Museums’ sites

. Work based at National Museums’ Collection Centre, Granton, but with periods at other National Museums’ sites

Organisational Chart:

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Post Title: Assistant Artefact Conservator

Department: Section: Conservation

Directorate: Collections Grade: 5 Hours: 37

Knowledge Essential or Evidence desirable assessed by

Good first degree in a relevant discipline, Essential Certificate / or knowledge from relevant experience Application

Higher degree or recognised diploma in Essential Certificate / conservation, or relevant experience Application

Theoretical understanding of material Essential Application / issues and treatments Selection Event

Awareness of professional issues Desirable Application / Selection Event

Awareness of best practice Desirable Application / Selection Event

Skills Essential or Evidence desirable assessed by

Able, practical conservator Essential Selection Event / Portfolio

Good documentation and reporting skills Essential Selection Event / Portfolio

ICT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Desirable Certificate / Outlook Application

Experience Essential or Evidence desirable assessed by

Proven relevant practical experience in a Essential Application / museum or similar environment (additional Portfolio demonstrable experience is essential in the absence of formal qualifications)

National Museums Scotland has a Competency Framework with six competencies. Individuals for this job are expected to demonstrate competence in all six; these will be assessed from the Application Form, and, if you are invited to attend, at the Selection Event.

Competency Level Detail Building Relationships 2 Collaborates with others Works effectively and  Understands other National Museums professionally as part of Scotland departments and priorities and how their team and co-operates these relate to their own area of work. with others across the  Promotes and raises awareness of own role organisation; collaborates and department, internally or externally. and networks externally for  Encourages co-operation between, people, specific outcomes and departments, sites and directorates. projects; forms  Considers and sees different perspectives on partnerships, nationally and issues, between people, across departments internationally for mutual or organisations for mutual benefit. benefit.  Works with external stakeholders and organisations to deliver our objectives.

Communicating & 2 Influences and engages others Engaging Uses interpersonal skills  Communicates regularly, accurately, flexibly to communicate, timely and appropriately. influence and negotiate  Facilitates two – way communication, both internally and encouraging dialogue and exchange externally to ensure a throughout and out with the organisation. shared understanding and  Adapts own style of communication to suit commitment to act. different people’s needs.  Demonstrates empathy and understanding in all communications.  Confidently influences others, rather than manipulating or imposing ideas.

Focussing on your 2 Is proactive in understanding customer needs Customer  Requests and receives feedback from Places the customer at the customers in a constructive and positive heart of what they do, way. engages, listens and  Anticipates customer concerns and responds to deliver reactions; exemplary service,  and pre-empts these by addressing them creating an outstanding upfront experience; supporting a  Is able to assess quickly what a customer culture of service wants and gets straight to their needs. excellence, both internally  Offers a ‘bespoke’ service and solution to the and externally. customer, meeting any special requirements.  Responds, calmly, tactfully and firmly when

dealing with difficult situations to resolve the issue. Innovating & Improving 2 Seeks Opportunities to continuously improve Builds personal and  Seizes opportunities and acts quickly before organisational capability to they are lost. continuously improve to  Thinks creatively and solves problems enable National Museums collaboratively Scotland to excel and lead  Facilitates and plans in opportunities for staff within the sector. and stakeholders to contribute their ideas and suggestions  Accesses networking events and expert groups, benchmarks other organisations.  Maintains and shares a network of useful external contacts to facilitate learning and idea generation. Leading & Managing 1 Manages Staff Sets direction and  Allocates work based on knowledge, skills standards to drive and available time and resources, individual, team and providing clear instructions and organisational performance specifications. by involving, supporting,  Recognises the achievement and developing and enabling performance of others and gives them staff and others to credit. effectively contribute to the  Provides others with regular feedback and present and the future of coaches in a constructive manner. National Museums  Motivates by making people feel valued Scotland. and important in interactions and by celebrating successes.  Encourages an open, safe and approachable environment by listening and not judging Planning for Success 2 Develops and Implements plans Realistically plans tasks,  Develops and implements plans for delivery, programmes and projects in building in flexibility to cope with last minute consultation with demands. stakeholders and existing  Takes into consideration the impact of resources; making actions and decisions on others and puts in decisions for effective place measures to minimise them. delivery.  Consults with relevant stakeholders to ensure the output, the outcome and the plan to meet their needs.  Prioritises own workload to meet conflicting demands.  Thinks ahead to identify potential obstacles and proactively solves issues to minimise the impact on delivery.